The 2024 Torch Bearer of Press Freedom Award was bestowed upon Mr. Haruna Mohammed Salisu, the esteemed Publisher of WikkiTimes, by the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) on World Press Freedom Day. This accolade lauds Mr. Mohammed’s tireless efforts in advancing transparency, accountability, and good governance in Northeast Nigeria,Wikkitimes reports.
Mr. Mohammed’s unwavering commitment to fearless journalism, particularly his endeavors in exposing corruption despite facing daunting challenges, earned him this recognition. The NUJ commended his fearless reporting, citing notable instances such as WikkiTimes’ investigation into malpractices at a Saudi-funded hospital in January 2021, which resulted in threats and legal actions against him. Similarly, his coverage of the mismanagement of a N1 billion educational initiative by a federal lawmaker led to a N2 billion defamation lawsuit against him and WikkiTimes. Moreover, Mr. Mohammed encountered legal battles in Kano State and faced lawsuits from federal representative Abdullahi Sa’ad Abdulkadir over various investigative stories.
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Physical assaults have also plagued Mr. Mohammed’s career, including his detention and mistreatment by the Bauchi Police Headquarters alongside a colleague following their report on local political threats. Furthermore, he was arrested and detained on election day in February for interviewing protesting women, showcasing the extreme measures employed to intimidate him and his team.
Despite facing eight ongoing lawsuits, Mr. Mohammed and his dedicated team at WikkiTimes persist in their pursuit of accountability journalism, unveiling corruption and advocating for justice. His relentless pursuit of truth has earned recognition and support from global journalism networks such as the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), the Center for Collaborative Investigative Journalism (CCIJ), and Forbidden Stories, among others.
Mr. Mohammed, a fellow at the Africa Resilience Network and the recipient of the Kwame Karikari Research Fellowship, is affiliated with esteemed journalism organizations worldwide, including the Centre for Collaborative Investigative Journalism in the USA, Safebox Network, Forbidden Stories in Paris, and the Global Investigative Journalism Network.
Dr. Chris Isiguzo, NUJ National President, underscored during his opening address that the awards honor individuals who champion press freedom in Nigeria.
Among the other media figures recognized were Abdallah el-Kurebe, Editor-in-chief of ASHENEWS; Jibrin Ndace, Director General of Voice of Nigeria (VON); Salihu Dembos, Director General of the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA); and veteran journalist Otunba Gbenga Onayiga.
Notable non-journalists honored included Abbas Tajudeen, Speaker of the House of Representatives; Abdulrazzak Namdas, President of the Nigeria Union of Teachers; and Adeyemi Adeniran, Statistician-General of the Federation.
